Removable end cap

ABSTRACT

A cardboard box having removable endcaps which slide into an enclosure formed from a single piece of cardboard having opposing endrails secured thereto. The endrails have a captive endrail groove for engaging the sides of the endcaps.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a cardboard box used for storing and transporting goods, particularly to an elongated cardboard box for storing and transporting window treatments or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A prior solution to problem of sealing the ends of an open cardboard box traditionally involved stapling a corrugated cardboard end cap thereto. However, due to the density of the cardboard material commonly used, staples do not consistently recess into the cardboard and partially recessed staples cause scratching on surfaces the package comes in contact with, for example, wood floors or table tops.

Moreover, when a stapled box is broken down flat (for easy disposal or recycling) the sharp edges of staples may be become exposed and further cause damage. Each exposed staple has the potential to injure those handling the box, or cause damage to nearby work surfaces.

Another problem with prior cardboard enclosures, is that they can not easily be broken-down and then be reconstituted to their original enclosing form factor for reuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure solves the problems of the prior art by providing a safer to handle enclosure using removable endcaps that provide improved enclosure strength and allows for easy break-down and reconstruction thereof.

An enclosure that can be broken down flat provides better access to all of its contents, thus reducing the risk that valuable components are obscured by the enclosure and accidently thrown away. Additionally, an enclosure that can be broken down flat can be repurposed as a protective covering (e.g. to protect a work area over a hardwood floor).

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, as well as further features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cardboard enclosure in an assembled and closed state, as configured according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cardboard box of FIG. 1 with the first sidewall and extended flap in the open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an endrail showing the captive endrail groove formed by the two opposing L-shaped rails which run the entire length of the endrail, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view a “I-beam” shaped center cap that has been slidibly seated into a pair of opposing endrails having an adhesive backing, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flattened cardboard enclosure showing four creases, each defining where fold is made, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flattened cardboard enclosure of FIG. 4 with endrails secured thereto;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cardboard enclosure of FIG. 5 partially folded so that both sets of opposing endrails stand vertically;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cardboard enclosure of FIG. 6 showing how center caps are simultaneously inserted into each set of opposing endrail; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cardboard enclosure of FIG. 7 with both center caps installed and retained by a first sidewall folded over to enclose any of the enclosure's contents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, a preferred embodiment of a cardboard enclosure 3 configured according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below, referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the assembled cardboard enclosure 3 configured in a closed state. Preferably, cardboard box 3 is configured as shown in FIG. 1 during transport or storage of the items enclosed thereby.

Referring now to FIG. 2, access to items enclosed by cardboard box 3 is gained by pulling open and unfolding first sidewall 4 and extended flap 5. In one embodiment the lose end of whichever one was folded over the other, is secured “closed” with a piece of adhesive shipping tape (not shown.) Each end of the enclosure has a center cap 2 sildbly secured into a captive endrail groove in an endrail 1.

Referring to FIG. 3A, endrail 1 has a captive endrail groove 11 formed by the two opposing L-Shaped rails which run the entire length of the Endrail 1. Referring to In FIG. 3B, in one embodiment, center cap 2 has the shape of an I-Beam with both of its beams slid within and captured by each opposing endrail 1 along their respective captive endrail groove 11. Adhesive 6 is disposed upon the backing of each opposing endrail 1. Adhesive 6 may be double sided adhesive foam tape, glue, or the like.

FIG. 4 shows the cardboard enclosure prior to assembly. The cardboard has 4 creased sections, namely, first fold 7, second fold 8, third fold 9 and fourth fold 10. Each crease defining where fold is made in order for assembly.

Now referring to FIG. 5, four creased sections (first fold 7, second fold 8, third fold 9 and fourth fold 10) which may be pressed, etched, or cut into the cardboard to make it easier to fold. Second sidewall 12 and fourth sidewall 14 have an endrail 1 disposed thereon at both of their ends. The endrails 1 may be secured, inter alia, using an adhesive 6 (as previously shown in FIG. 4). After endrails 1 are secured, second sidewall 12 and fourth sidewall 14 are then folded vertically upright.

FIG. 6 shows second sidewall 12 and fourth sidewall 14 folded upright. However, extended flap 5 and first sidewall 4 are instead folded partially outward to still allow access to the interior of the enclosure.

Turning to FIG. 7, center caps 2 are inserted by sliding them downward into captive endrail grooves 11 of each set of opposing endrails 1, resulting in the enclosure being configured as shown in FIG. 2. The enclosure's items are resultantly contained by inserting center caps 2 into each opposing pair of captive endrail grooves 11, and then sliding them downward until they are flush against third Sidewall 13, thereby establishing rigid containing enclosure.

The cardboard enclosure may be closed by A: folding first sidewall 4 and then B: folding extended flap 5 over the other, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the folding order of the step of folding A and folding B can be reversed. In other words, folding B may occur prior to folding A. In an preferred embodiment, after whichever one of the two (extended flap 5 or first sidewall 4,) is folded over the other, the latter is secured over the former (into a “closed” box arraignment) with a piece of adhesive packaging tape. Alternatively, double stick tape may be instead used along the opposing the surfaces of extended flap 5 and first sidewall 4. In yet another embodiment, a fastening band (not shown) may be attached around the outer periphery of the enclosure in order to secure it shut.

Consequently, safety is improved because the use of traditional staples are not required and may be avoided. Additionally, the enclosure may be also be repurposed as a protective work surface by removing center caps 2 and unfolding the enclosure and laying it down flat (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5.) Furthermore, the center caps 2 can easily removed to breakdown, and reinserted in order to reconstitute the enclosure, allowing it to be used repeatedly as a container, which is economical.

The present disclosure is not limited to the details of the above described preferred embodiment. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and all changes and modifications as fall within the equivalence of the scope of the claims are therefore to be embraced by the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cardboard box comprising: a second sidewall secured a first sidewall, said second sidewall having two or more endrails secured thereon, each endrail having a captive endrail groove; a third sidewall having a extended flap for overlapping said first sidewall; a fourth sidewall, said fourth sidewall having two or more endrails secured thereon, wherein said second sidewall and said fourth sidewall are configured to oppose each other by folding a single piece of cardboard along a second fold and a third fold and thereby create a third sidewall; and a center cap for slidbly engaging opposing endrails along a captive endrail groove disposed along each said endrail.
 2. The cardboard box according to claim 1, wherein said center cap shaped as an I-Beam for capitally engaging a said endrail groove.
 3. The cardboard box according to claim 1, wherein each said endrail is secured to opposing sidewalls using double-sided adhesive. 